Switching device.



B. G. LAMME.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. 191a.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

YIATTOBNEY vammm-M mm E'ENJ'AMZN G. LAMME, EITISTBUEGH, PEEHTSYLVANIA, T6 Willa ELECTRIC AND DEAHUFAGLP'UIRING CUE/IPA SWITCHENG DEVECE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, BENJAMIN G. Lantern, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in dwitching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switching devices and it has special reference to the combination with a dynamo-electric machine, such as a rotary converter, of an automatically in tel-locking device, preferably in connection with the main load sw1tch.

. The object of my invention is to provide simple automatic means whereby the switch controlling the polarity of the direct current line that is supplied from a rotary converter or the like shall always be closed to the correct position, irrespective of the relative p0- larity of the machine terminals.

In the prior art, more or less 'dificulty and uncertainty has been experienced during the starting of rotary converters from the alternating current end with regard to the resultant relative polarity of the machine direct current terminals. As is well understood, being dependent upon the relative positions of the armature windings and the field magnet windings at starting, the polarity cannot usually be foretold by the operator, who must rely on some sort of test or information concerning the resultant polarity. Once the relative polarity of the machine terminals is known, a double-throw switch in the main load circuit may be closed in the proper direction to give the correct polarity to the line.

According to my present invention, 1 provide an automatically lockingdevice, preferably in connection with the main load switch, whereby the switch can be thrown only in the right direction to give the correct polarity to the line, irrespective of the rela tive polarity of the machine terminals. llhe result is accomplishedby the interposition of a suitable stop to prevent the closing of the main switch in the wrong direction, the stop being operated by an electromagnetic device that may be energized. directly or indirectly by the voltage of the machine direct current terminals.

In the accompanying drawing, which is intended to be merely illustrative, Figure 1 Patented Aug. 13, 11ers.

Application filed August 2, 1913. Serial No. 782,553.

- looking with said switch under predetermined conditions, and an electromagnetic device 7 for actuating the mechanism 6.

The reversing switch 5 may be disposed upon an insulating panel 8 and is preferably connected in the load line. The switch is preferably of the double-pole, double throw type and may have near the handle a pair of oppositely-located extensions or fingers 9 that are disposed in the path of travel, for a purpose hereinafter specified.

The mechanism 6 and the device 7 in combination may take various forms, two of which are illustrated in the drawing. ll desire it to be understood, however, that l in no way limit myself to the apparatus shown, as other means for accomplishing the result of my invention may be readdy devised by those skilled in the art;

In Fig. 1, a stop or bar 10 of suitable length is mounted on the panel 8 to move longitudinally between the stationary jaws of the switch 5. Attached to the bar 10 in any suitable manner, is a permanent magnet 11 which is adapted to act as a movable core for a solenoid coil 12 that is preferably connected to the machine direct-current terminals 3 through a conducting blade 13 of the switch 5 in 0d or central position by a pair of stationary contact terminals 13*, or in some other suitable way to break the coil circuit when the switch is closed. A suitable near the movable portion of the switch and which may be moved to interpose either of its arms in the path of the switch 5.

t will be understood that the solenoid coils in both arrangements areso connected i to the machine direct current terminals 3 that the -magnet 11 will be actuated to in terpose a stop in the direction in which the switch should not be closed.

Assuming that the several parts occupy the positions shown in the drawing, the operation of the system may be described as fol lows Energy is supplied to the rotary converter 1 from the alternating current line 2 to start the mach ie, the impressed voltage being gradually increased in any suitable manner, Meanwhile, as herein'before noted, the direct current polarity may come up either the same as during the last use of the machine or the opposite.

U polarity is the same as before, for

all" 1,118 instance, as shown in the drawing, it will be observed that the main switch 5 must be thrown upwardly to give the correct polarity to the line 4-. Consequently, by reason of the above-mentioned connection of the solenoid 12, the magnet 11 is attracted, the corresponding finger 9 engages the hai- 10 if 5 is thrown downwardly, thus compelling the closing of the SNltGl'l in the correct position. From the foregoing e2;- planation, the action of the apparatus of ig. 1 when the polarity of the direct curthe switch rent terminals 3 is the opposite from that shown in the drawing, and also the action of the device of Fig. 2 will be understood.

Tn either case, as soon as the main switch 5 is moved from its central position, the contact between the blade 13 and the stationary contact terminals 13 is broken, thereby opening the coil circuit,

lit wil be understood that many modifications oi the apparatus herein set forth may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention, and I, therefore, desire that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

T claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a dynamo-electric machine, of a direct-current circuit, a switching device connected thereto and having a plurality of operative positions, and automatic locking means for said switching device adapted to permit impressing only a predetermined polarity upon said circuit, irrespective of the relative polarity of said machine. I

2. The combination with a dynamo-else tric machine, of a direct-current circuit, a switching device connected thereto and havharness ing a plurality of operative positions, and

automatic locking means for said switching device for preventing 1mpress1-ng a predetermined polarity upon said circuit, irreadapted to be connected thereto, a switching device for said circuit having a plurality of operative positions, means for temporarily preventing movement ol said device to a predetermined position, and means for actuating said first means.

4:. The combination with. a dynamo-electric machine, of a direct current circuit adapted to be connected thereto, a switching device for said circuit having a plurality of operative positions, mechanical means for temporarily preventing movement of said device 'to a predetermined position, and means dependent upon the relative polarity of said. machine for actuating said first means.

5. The combinationwith a dynamo-electric machine, of a direct current circuit adapted to be connected thereto, a reversing switch for said circuit, mechanical positioning means for temporarily preventing movement of said switch to impress a predetermined polarity upon said circuit, and automatic means for moving said positioning means to the temporarily desired position.

c. The combination with a dynamo-electric machine, or a direct current circuit adapted to be connected thereto, a reversing switch for impressing upon said circuit a predetermined polarity irrespective of the relative polarity of said machine, a stop for selectively preventing closing said switch in an incorrect position, and electro-responsive means for automatically moving said stop to the temporarily desired position.

7. The combination with a dynamo-electric machine, of a direct current circuit adapted to be connected thereto, a reversing switch for impressing upon said circuit a predetermined polarity irrespective of the relative polarity of said machine, a movable stop for selectively preventing closing said switch in an. incorrect position, and electromagnetic means dependent upon the relative polarity oi said machine for automatically moving said stop to the temporarily desired position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of July 1918.

BENJAMIN G. LAMME.

Vlitnesses E, Lrvmesronn, B. B. Times. 

